Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, January 23. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Slings & Arrows (1 p.m.): This tiny Canadian series about a theatrical festival loosely based on Canada’s own Stratford Festival is one of our favorite shows ever made, and now Todd VanDerWerff’s going to review all three seasons over the next 18 weeks and probably just over-analyze it to death. Boo! For those of you who are just watching for the first time—and it can easily be found on Netflix and probably on other places on the Internet we’re not bothering to check right now—we’ll warn you the first episode can be a little slow. But it picks up from there, and it’s awesome! We swear! Would we steer you wrong?
REGULAR COVERAGE
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.): When Oliver suspects Diggle’s mentor of robbing armored trucks, Diggle objects, says the plot summary. All we’re hoping is that there’s some sort of slugfest atop a moving armored truck, preferably between Oliver and a bear. C’mon, CW! Don’t let Alasdair Wilkins down!
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.): Axl’s concerned he’s not smart enough for his girlfriend, and Frankie’s setting up adult playdates for Mike. This is the sort of thing we have to do for Will Harris, who’s so busy reviewing this show that he sometimes forgets to have what you humans call “fun.” Go and play, Will!
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.): With the birth of the new baby, Gloria’s mother comes to visit the family, and we’re sure many, many, many broad accent jokes will ensue. Also, probably, there will be jokes about how the baby is technically Mitchell and Claire’s half-brother, because that’s really weird, right?
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m.): We’re going to present to you the TV Guide summary for this episode in full: “Two people die mysteriously during a role-playing game. Later, a dangerous fairy must be stopped.” Doesn’t that sound exciting? Don’t you want to see what Phil Dyess-Nugent will say about it?!
Suburgatory (ABC, 9:30 p.m.): Tessa’s dating a football player? And she’s not dating Ryan Shay? What on Earth are you doing to us here, Suburgatory? We want some good “Tessa dates Ryan Shay” storylines, and we want lots of jokes where he’s shirtless. Brandon Nowalk demands satisfaction!
American Horror Story (FX, 10 p.m.): After a full season of wackiness and shenanigans in the 1960s, it looks like much of the season finale—and the end of the Briarcliff saga—is going to take place in the present day, with crazy ol’ Dylan McDermott talkin’ crazy. Todd VanDerWerff loves random shouting!
Nashville (ABC, 10 p.m.): The episode description for this one promises Gunnar and Avery action but also a prominent placement for the release party for Rayna and Juliette’s duet. Todd VanDerWerff supposes Callie Khouri and her writers giveth, and Callie Khouri and her writers taketh away.
Top Chef (Bravo, 10 p.m.): After everybody freaked out over “Restaurant Wars,” Emily Withrow’s not sure what the show can do to further anger people/force them to watch Last-Chance Kitchen in this fried-chicken themed episode. It features David Chang! Sadly, not Internet Eating Sensation Dave Chang.
Workaholics (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.): You could watch the craziness happening over on American Horror Story, or you could just see what happens when the guys conclude that Adam’s been possessed by a ghost. Kevin McFarland is fairly certain Anders and Blake’s attempts at exorcism will be inept.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
Nature/Nova (PBS, 8/9 p.m.): First, David Attenborough takes viewers through his 60-year career, sharing his favorite bits of film and favorite memories. Then, Nova takes on drones—the science of them and the political controversy. Rowan Kaiser’s going to review that one and build a drone in his garage!
Inside The NFL (Showtime, 9 p.m.): We normally wouldn’t recommend this, but did you hear?! The 49ers are in the Super Bowl, and the only thing standing between them and another Lombardi trophy is some stupid bird thing from Baltimore! We’re sure this show will have a million Harbaugh stories.
Bobby’s Dinner Battle (Food Network, 10 p.m.): Did you know that when Bobby Flay invites people over to his house for dinner, he forces them to do battle? Most weeks, he just makes them play Risk, but some weeks, he hauls out the chariots and really lets the shit fly. This is one of those weeks!
Kroll Show (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.): You seemed to mostly enjoy this new sketch-comedy series, and we have a screener for the second episode, so one of us will be covering it. We still don’t know which one of us, mind, but there will be somebody there to share all the jokes and jackanapes with you.
The Doctor Takes A Wife (TCM, 8 p.m.): TCM’s loading up on the Loretta Young tonight. Now, who doesn’t like Loretta Young? Awful people, that’s who! In this one, we’re led to believe that a doctor will be taking a wife, but we’ve never seen it, so it could be about a gigantic Loretta Young attacking Tokyo.
Entrapment (Reelz, 8 p.m.): You have not known true horror until you’ve watched the trailer for this—complete with Catherine Zeta Jones at the height of her sex appeal—then seen your dad turn to your mom and say, “Listen, [mother’s name redacted]! We are seeing that one!” We still have nightmares.
Australian Open: Women’s semifinals (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.): Only four women remain, and they shall be pitted against each other, in mortal kombat! Or combat! Whichever! (If you’ve noticed today’s article is unusually violence-themed, well, we have too. We regret the error and will be boring again on Friday.)
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
White Collar (Tuesday): White Collar, everybody’s favorite show about charming dudes doing charming stuff and using it to catch illegal dudes doing illegal stuff, is back for another half-season of capers ‘n’ criminals. Kenny Herzog is back to review another season as well, and we predict lots of handsomeness.